Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has blamed the congestion of correctional centres on Institutional delays which mars the trials and reintegration of inmates into the society.
The Governor noted that such delays emanating from Police investigation and judicial proceedings need to be tackled for the process of justice to be dispensed effectively to decongest the correctional centres.
Governor Fubara disclosed this while addressing the chairman Hon. Chinedu Ogah and members of the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions who were on a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.
“The other aspect is arresting someone wrongfully and the process of investigation takes over two to four years. So, we need to make sure that our institutions are functioning effectively. If they are working effectively I strongly believe that most of these issues of overcrowding of the Correctional Centres won’t be there.”
The governor who commended the Committee for the visit, said the Rivers State Government is up to its responsibilities of catering for the welfare of the people to tackle crimes and criminalities.
According to him, “I want to thank you for saying it to everyone that Rivers State, with the little we’re doing, we’ve been able to reduce the crime rate compared to what it used to be in the past. It shows that we know what the problem is, and we’re tackling it from the root cause”
“As a state we’ll do our best to ensure that our youths are engaged and discouraged from associating with any thing that will bring a bad image to our state ”
He further commended the Committee for visiting the Correctional facilities in the state, believing that the Committee will come up with recommendations that will help in resolving most of the challenges raised to ensure a more functional Correctional Centre.
The governor who emphasized the need for proper reintegration of inmates into the society said the inmates must show genuine remorse and commitment to desist from crimes and vices in other not to endanger the society.
“It is not just to say we need to integrate them, we also need to do the proper thing, so that when they come out they can fit in. Even in the Correctional Centres, you have Vocational activities. Some of them also have the opportunity to run online programmes. So, they should first show commitment that they want to change and also want to be part of the system as they come back to the society.”
Sir Fubara noted that the government through the Chief Judge of the State has in the past been visiting the Centres and after due assessment released some of the inmates with minor or no issues on bail.
The governor who frowned against the siting of correction centres at city centers, said the Rivers State Government under his watch has been supportive in ensuring that the correctional centres in the state function effectively, adding that his administration will complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the completion of the new correctional centre under construction in Bori, headquarters of Khana LGA.
He urged the House of Representatives Committee to be proactive in making laws that will make Nigerian institutions functional, adding that the glaring complexities of Nigeria can be properly harnessed for the overall development and well-being of the people.
Gov. Fubara called on all Nigerians to work together for the success of the country by supporting President Bola Tinubu, adding that despite the diversity of the people the common interest should be to sustain the entity and ensure that it succeeds as the success of the various segments
depends on the success of the nation.
Speaking earlier the Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Hon. Chinedu Ogah commended the purposeful and peaceful leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stressing that it is visible in all his activities including his development strides since assumption of office.
He said they were in the State to oversight the Correctional facilities in the State which have become overcrowded with over 4,000 inmates and solicited the governor’s support to complete ongoing expansion and relocation of facilities from the urban center to other parts of the State.
Hon. Ogah pledged the support of the Committee to the visionary leadership of the governor and solicited for logistics support to the Correctional Service in the State.
The Chairman urged Governor Fubara to key into the constitutional reform that empowers Governors to establish Correctional Centres in their various states as a means of addressing issues of inmates congestion and assured the partnership of the Committee with the Rivers State government.